Exit Device Basics that You Should Know
Exit devices have been at the market since the early 1900’s after several disastrous events took the lives of hundreds of people trapped inside buildings. The Choice of exit device depends on room occupancy type and load. Getting the right exit devices can be lifesaving. So before choosing one you should learn more about them.

Exit devices are categorized as Panic Hardware or Fire Exit Hardware.

Panic Hardware
Panic hardware is a type of exit device that is designed and tested to be used on special doors, but it is not suitable for fire door usage. Panic hardware generally comes with a dogging feature that gives you the option for the latches to be retracted – as a result, a push and pull bar is created.

Fire Exit Hardware
Fire exit hardware is a type of exit device which has been designed and tested for both panic situations and fire situations. This hardware must be used on fire doors. Fire exit hardware doesn’t come equipped with mechanical dogging. An electric latch retraction system must be installed if a push and pull bar is needed, although the latch must also be connected to the fire alarm.

The main difference between Panic Hardware and Fire Exit Hardware is that the former is equipped with mechanical dogging whereas the latter is not. Other difference is the internal construction.

Exit Device Designs
There are 3 types of exit devices which can be distinguished from one another.
1. Touch Bar Device
2. Cross Bar Device
3. Integral Device
Touch bar devices are the most commonly used design. The touch bar is operated by pushing the pad into the body which retracts the latch.

A cross bar device is recognizable by the bar that extends the width of the door from the latch case to the hinge case of the device.

An integral device is recessed into the face of the door and it does not extend out of the door as much as the other devices.

Types of Exit Devices
Exit devices come in one of 4 types:
1. Rim
2. Mortise
3. Surface Vertical Rod
4. Concealed Vertical Rod
Rim devices have a latch that engages a strike that is surface mounted to the offsite of the frame. Rim devices are mostly used at single doors.
Rim exit devices have a surface-mounted latch or bolt that slides over the surface-mounted strike. The more common latch is a Pullman style that swings back at an angle as the bar or push pad is depressed. The latch is located at the front edge of the center case. Rim exit devices can be equipped with exterior trim containing a lock cylinder. When locked, the deadbolt style latch extends onto the strike, limiting the space between the bolt and the strike.

Mortise devices have a mortise lock body that sits inside a pocket prepped in the side of the door. A standard 4-7/8″ strike prep in the frame is used.
The mortise lock style exit device incorporates a mortise lock normally without deadbolt mounted in the door pocket. The mortise lock is part of the exit device. A standard mortise lock is not designed to operate as an exit device. When the push bar is pressed, the spindle or tail shaft rotates retracting the latch bolt, permitting the door to swing out. Mortise lock exit devices can be equipped with exterior trim containing a lock cylinder. The exit device is mounted onto the interior side of the door with the mortise lock mortised into the door edge.
Although mortise lock exit devices can be installed onto single door openings, they often are installed onto the active leaf of a pair of doors.

Vertical rod devices can have latches at both the top and bottom of the door or just one top latch. The bottom latch is often not desirable since the latch has the possibility of dragging on the floor and causing damage. The top latch engages a strike on the offsite of the frame’s head piece. Vertical rods are used at double doors when both doors are opened independently of each other. Vertical rod exit devices are available in the concealed or surface versions. The rods connect the device’s pushpad to the top and bottom latches. Vertical rod exit devices can be configured as top and bottom rod, or top rod only, commonly known as Less Bottom Rod (LBR). LBR exit device installations are normally for interior or doors within a secured area.

Exit devices can be installed with or without exterior trim. Trim choices include pull handles, keyed trim, electrified trim and lever trim. Cylindrical lock lever trim can enable the exterior trim for exit devices in order to be compatible with existing door hardware. Remember, the width of the stile affects the dimensions of the exit device and the trim.

Getting the right exit devices save lives. But choosing one is not so easy, so you can call professionals like Locksmith experts from Locksmith Express Toronto and GTA.